Alright, fellow geeks and entertainment aficionados, gather ’round the digital fireplace as we dissect Lindsay Lohan’s latest cinematic offering, “Our Little Secret,” a Christmas rom-com that landed on Netflix with the subtlety of a reindeer crashing through your roof.
Now, before we dive headfirst into this festive flick, let’s acknowledge the digital elephant in the room: Lindsay Lohan. This isn’t just another actress starring in another holiday movie. This is LiLo, a pop culture icon who, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of tabloid headlines, has been making a concerted effort to reclaim her throne in the entertainment kingdom. And Netflix, the streaming behemoth with a penchant for churning out holiday content like Santa’s elves on an eggnog-fueled overtime bender, has become her platform of choice for this comeback journey.
“Our Little Secret” marks Lohan’s third collaboration with Netflix, following the lukewarm reception of “Falling for Christmas” and the cinematic trainwreck that was “Irish Wish.” So, the question on everyone’s mind is: Does “Our Little Secret” break the curse and deliver a holiday treat worthy of Lohan’s legacy, or does it fall flat like a poorly decorated gingerbread house?
Let’s don our Santa hats, grab a mug of hot cocoa (spiked with a bit of rum, for those feeling extra festive), and embark on a geeky deep dive into “Our Little Secret.”
Our Little Secret
Imagine this: You and your ex, who you haven’t seen in a decade, end up spending Christmas with the same family, thanks to your current partners being siblings. Awkward? Absolutely. Hilarious? Potentially. A recipe for disaster? Most definitely.
That’s the basic premise of “Our Little Secret,” a film that throws a generous helping of deception into the holiday mix. Lohan plays Avery, a woman who, after a messy breakup with her boyfriend Logan (played by Ian Harding) ten years prior, finds herself entangled in this web of awkwardness when she discovers that her current beau is the brother of Logan’s current girlfriend.
Now, here’s where the geek in me has to pause and raise a Spock-like eyebrow. The central conceit of the film, the decision by Avery and Logan to keep their past relationship a secret, hinges on a level of contrived convenience that stretches the bounds of believability. Seriously, wouldn’t it be easier to just rip off the Band-Aid and admit to their history, rather than construct an elaborate charade that’s bound to crumble faster than a gingerbread house in a hurricane?
But hey, let’s suspend our disbelief for the sake of holiday cheer and delve into the chaotic consequences of this secret.
“Our Little Secret” attempts to break free from the shackles of the typical Hallmark Christmas movie formula, aiming for a vibe that’s more reminiscent of the classic 2000s rom-coms. Think “Meet the Parents” with a festive twist, or “Four Christmases” with a slightly edgier sense of humor. And speaking of “Four Christmases,” the film even boasts the directorial talents of Stephen Herek, a veteran of that era who has worked with Hollywood heavyweights like Mark Wahlberg, Angelina Jolie, and Tommy Lee Jones.
While “Our Little Secret” may not reach the comedic heights of last year’s surprise hit “Anyone But You,” it shares a similar target audience: those of us who grew up on a steady diet of studio rom-coms that dared to be a little more ambitious than your average Hallmark holiday fare.
One of the film’s saving graces is its supporting cast, a veritable who’s who of comedic talent. We’ve got “Saturday Night Live” alumni Tim Meadows, Chris Parnell, and Jon Rudnitsky, adding their comedic flair to the mix. Judy Reyes, known for her roles in “Scrubs” and the critically acclaimed horror film “Birth/Rebirth,” brings her acting chops to the table. And let’s not forget the scene-stealing Kristin Chenoweth, who injects a much-needed dose of energy and charisma into the film with her portrayal of a viperous, “Real Housewives”-esque mother.
Chenoweth, a Broadway legend and a veteran of festive comedies like Netflix’s “Holidate” and, yes, “Four Christmases,” elevates every scene she’s in. She’s like a perfectly spiced eggnog, adding flavor and zest to what could have been a rather bland holiday concoction.
While “Our Little Secret” has its moments, it unfortunately stumbles into the familiar trap of rom-com clichés. The script, penned by first-time writer Hailey DeDominicis, lacks the wit and originality needed to truly elevate the film beyond its predictable plot points. Lohan and Harding have decent chemistry, and their banter provides some genuinely amusing moments. Harding, in particular, possesses a comedic elasticity reminiscent of Seth MacFarlane, which works surprisingly well in the context of the film. However, the script doesn’t give them enough material to truly shine.
While “Our Little Secret” may not be the most memorable or groundbreaking Christmas movie, it’s a harmless and mildly entertaining watch. It’s the kind of film you can put on in the background while wrapping presents or decorating the tree, and it won’t offend your sensibilities or insult your intelligence. Lindsay Lohan’s performance is charming, and the supporting cast adds some much-needed comedic spark. However, the film’s reliance on clichés and its predictable plot prevent it from reaching its full potential.
